Dawghouse Blog

Derek Anderson. He's the man. 

Apologies to Brady Quinn, but this is Anderson's team and deservedly so. 

You know the stats -- big 2007 season, 29 TD passes, and a Pro Bowl appearance. But some of you still aren't satisfied.

Anderson is too inconsistent. He forces the ball. He throws picks. Eh. Maybe. Did you know he went 84 pass attempts without an interception? Do you know how many of his interceptions were down the field and, as a result, not nearly as damaging as they could be? I don't... but you know what I mean.

Seriously, anyone calling for Quinn to start before letting the season play out is flat-out insane. Really. You are stupid and you don't know what you are talking about. Anderson might be the perfect quarterback for this team. Yet you want Quinn. I'll never understand you people.

A few more facts you dunderheads need to consider.

1. 29 TDs is 2nd in franchise history. That's right. All those years you remember Kosar tearing it up. And yet Anderson has the #2 season touchdown-wise.
   
2. Anderson has a FANTASTIC arm. Not above average -- great. He's among the top 5 or so QBs in the league in getting the ball down the field. Quinn looks very promising but this is just something he'll never be able to do.
   
3. Anderson gets rid of the ball. Yes, interceptions are killers. But so are sacks. Anderson throws a pretty average number of picks but takes a low number of sacks. That is a tradeoff I can live with if the pattern holds.
   
4. Anderson is the perfect quarterback for Braylon Edwards. In case you haven't noticed, Edwards excels in out positioning himself for the ball and getting to balls down the field.
   
5. A big, tall, strong armed QB is the exactly what you want if you want a decent running game. It's even better when you have a very good offensive line.

I wish Quinn luck and hopefully he's a damn good QB when he's called to duty. But this year is Anderson's to win.

Kevin Jones and Mike Doss.

I will always wonder if Lewis is going to show the kind of fire we need him to. I think Kevin Jones would make a great addition to the Browns as sort of a 3rd-down back / frequent backup to Lewis. It makes sense on a number of levels. 

1. Jones is good. Really. He's strong, runs well, and can catch the ball. Maybe he won't be a world-beater, but on the other hand he's got a lot of ability. And he's only been on one NFL team widely acknowledged to be among the lesser franchises.
2. His health situation is an obvious issue, but I think the Browns are in position to gamble some money on the guy. They are going to have to gamble on somebody anyway. I'd take a shot with Jones.
   
3. I don't dislike our current stable of runners. But none of them can be a strong inside runner like Lewis is. Jones could be, albeit not quite in the same category. But the point is that the offense probably wouldn't have to change if Jones is subbing for Lewis. 

And Doss.... I am not a huge fan of Doss but I wonder if answer in the secondary might be to move Pool to corner and bring in another safety. I'm not sure if Pool is up to that job. But I know he's inconsistent at safety even while coming up with an occasional big play. The thing is, I don't think the Browns need big plays at that safety position. They just need some consistency. 

 Neither of these guys are the answer to our prayers. But I'd welcome both under the right conditions. 

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Anyone else suprissed that LeCharles Bentley didn't have another team lined up after asking for and getting a release from the Browns?

 I think this pause pretty much validates the Browns' caution with Bentley. If other teams had no concerns about his knee he'd have been signed within a couple days. Instead, the whole league is waiting. Bentley will get a shot somewhere in camp in a few weeks. But he's probably getting the same cautious response from other GM's in the league. And I can't help but wonder if his somewhat adversarial relationship with the Browns FO is making other teams think twice before giving him a shot. 

 Of course, Bentley's situation is not unique. 

 

Quarterbacks Byron Leftwich and Daunte Culpepper; running backs Shaun Alexander, Kevin Jones and Ron Dayne; linebackers Takeo Spikes, Junior Seau and Jeremiah Trotter; defensive linemen Rod Coleman and Orpheus Roye; and defensive backs Chad Scott, Duane Starks and Mike Doss.

 

I feel about the Browns similar to how I felt about the Indians a few months ago -- cautious. There's no question the Browns now have decent talent, however expectation are, I think, a bit high. But 2008 is entails some complicated emotions. A lot of excitement, a bandwagon forming, and the tendency for a Cleveland sports fan to look over his shoulder. What does it all mean?

It's easy to focus on Derek Anderson and the emergence of the offensive line as the reasons the Browns were able to compete in 2007. But besides that, the Browns were rather fortunate in terms of injuries. The got full seasons out of their most important players -- Edwards, Winslow, Lewis, Anderson, Wimbley, the Smiths, Sean Jones and most of the linebackers. They also were able to fill in some blanks in the secondary with success. None of this added up to a team that made the playoffs -- but the Browns were good enough to control games on the offensive side of the ball and usually competitive defensively. A pretty good year.

For 2008 the Browns are better. They shored up the defensive line in a way that could almost do for the defense what the OL did for the offensive in 2007. I say almost because the LB and DB corps do not have the same playmaking talent that the offfense does. Still, Wimbley and Sean Jones might nmot dominate but do stand a chance to have very good years. We'll see.

But we should be cautious. There are still a lot of question marks; thiss is not a team with lots of veteran talent that is sure to be a known quantity in the fall. Derek Anderson has a gun, but we know he's not going to carry the team. Jamal Lewis is great when healthy and motivated, but neither is a guarantee. Winslow? Raise your hand if you think his knee allows him to play 14 games. Edwards, Thomas, Steinbech, Wimbley, Rogers, Williams? There are going to be some injuries but, really, the Browns probably need to avoid too many to realize their potential.

Also, there is karma. The Browns have had it. They should have it. They haven't tempted the gods and are going about things the right way. But the NFL is a tought league to manage back-to-back winning seasons in unless your team is the real deal. We're going to find out.

Is this caution just the result of being a Cleveland fan who's gotten burned so many times over the years? Probably. But it's really just the expectations game. The Browns will be a trendy pick by all those analysts who have ragged on them for the past 9 years. And I can't help but think all those pundits will be waiting for the Browns to stumble just a bit and they will be shining a spotlight on how the Browns mightbe a decent but not an elite team. Well.... screw 'em. The Browns.... willl.... be..... just fine. Thank you.

I am positively bullish on a lot more than I am bearish. And we are due for things to workout as planned. That might not mean a Super Bowl just yet, but it then again it might.

Bullish:

Anderson and/or Quinn will get it done. I'm probably more positive about Anderson than most. I think he's a real weapon -- he can get the ball where it needs to go, even in difficult situations. Sure, he's erratic but he's  not _that_ erratic. There's a lot to like. And look at it this way -- if he played for the Steelers how would you feel about him? You'd probably think the Steelers had an answer at QB for a long time. So there's no sense in worrying about Anderson or dissing his faults. Almsot all QBs have faults.

And Quinn, well, I think the kid is going to be good. There's just too much positive about the guy. He looked good everytime he got a chance last year. Reports out of all practices are positive. He's been antsy to play and not happy about sitting, but, really, those are all poisitive things. It's gonna happen for him. So the Browns are in good/great shape at QB.

The DL. Yes I think Williams and Rogers will be a minor revelation. I've been bemoaning the state of the Browns trenches for years and 2007 was kind of a vindication of that outlook. 2008 won't be transformative for the defense in quite the same way, but I think we will see a defense that can now grind down an opposing offense and make life difficult. Maybe we won't see tons of sacks and turnovers, but we should see lots of 3rd and longs and punts. That is nothing to complain about.

Linebackers. This unit has been oversold in recent years. Andra Davis is okay but not a standout player. McGinest is average at this point. But I like both of those guys when they are in the mix with Wimbley, Willaims, Jackson and Bell. All four of those guys hold some real promise and it's likely we will see some guys really emerge this season. They should all certainly get their chance playing in front of a DL that will command attention. I'm prepared to be very pleasantly suprised.

Chud. Really, this is the reason I am not paranoid about a regression on offense. This guy did a great job of playcalling in 2007. I loved how the Browns ran the ball. And when we threw, we saw lots of plays that that went down the field and generally put the ball into places that threatened the defense. This year I look for Winslow to see some more plays down the field as Stallworth will command some deep respect. And as long as the Browns can run the ball the offense will be playoff-calibre.

Bearish:

Safety. I like Jones. He can be a very good player, but he has to be paired with another safety who is competent. I really have wanted to like Brodney Pool but I've come to accept that Pool is kind of a scattershot player -- some physical talent but will probably never be consistent enough to be a respected starter.

WRs. Let me explain. I like our guys. Edwards is a true threat. But everyone else comes with real concern. Stallworth is not a complete player or an ideal #2 guy IMO. His hands are not great and there are some routes I'm not so sure he's well suited for. Our #2 is kind of a safety valve and Stallworth is more of a homerun hitter. So I regard Stallworth as a bit of an experiment. And Cribbs I love but he's got to have plays deisgned for him. He's not just gonna be a #3 receiver who lines up in the slot and does the things any #3 can do. If he does that, he''s probably below average for that role. Jurevicius I am still comfortable with but he'll have to prove himself healthy and stay that way. I consider the WR corp as having some great talent but might not have the right mix. The unit will have to gel, and that's not a sure thing.

OK... enough for now. Go Browns.

"This is about being a Pittsburgh Steeler for as long as I can be. I love Pittsburgh," Roethlisberger said. He added that he "wanted to be like the Dan Marinos, like the John Elways, guys who played with one team their whole career."

To all the Steelers fans... I actually have some pity for you... 

 It's not that he is bad. Actually I think he's pretty good. But damn if he's not an, uh, what's the word... an oaf. And it's kind of hard to root for an oaf.

All in all -- another exciting free agency season. Amazing too, since I don';t think anyone was expecting moves to rival last year. Savage is making inspired moves and you have to appreciate it. Go for it.

Stallworth. I like this move quite a bit. Braylon has some spee but not the way Stallworth does, and Stallworth has skills beyond his speed. With Jurevicius winding down, a #2 WR was more important than a lot of fans seemed to be realizing. Unfortunately this means Travis Wilson is headed for the scrap heap.

Shaun Rogers... high risk, high reward. Rogers can be a true force, and he does seem like the type of player who will benefit greatly from a change of scenery.

Losing Bodden. This doesn't bother me so much. Nobody was a bigger fan than I a couple years ago. But since then Bodden has not inspired.

Corey Williams. This has gotten nothing but favorable reviews, but I don't know enough about the guy to just put my faith in Savage.

No draft picks. I'm not liking this; I think the team needs at least one first day pick just to keep the talent level high enough on the team. But it's March. We'll see what happens before the draft.
 

Sign Anderson? I still say yes. Or at least make serious overtures in that direction so maximum trade value can be extracted. But really, if ANderson can be signed for a reasonable and trade-able contract, then why not do it? He's pretty good. He gets the ball out. There's no reason the Browns can't win with him.

 Crennel? To the Dolphins? That doesn't sound all that right to me, but who knows. ROmeo is okay. I'd say keeping Chud is more important at this point as his play calling has been superb. But keep Romeo unless Parcells wants to pay. Would it not be funny if the Browns wound up with the Dolphins 1st, 2nd, and 3rd round picks by trading Crennel and Anderson? Could happen. But Anderson doesn't seem like Parcell's type. He's not enough of an asshole.

 
Sign Jamal Lewis? Can't believe I'm saying it, but I'm not opposed to a two-year deal. Lewis has really surprised me -- he's struck me as a pretty decent dude off the field, as far as felony drug convicts go. I'd make it fair, but top it off with incentive. Like, 2 years, 7 Mil guaranteed, 3.5 mil in attainable incentives the first year and 2.5 in incentives the next. The idea is to keep him motivated. And to make football more lucrative than any sort of illegal side business.

Kellen Winslow.... I have to say that as good as he has been, it is such a DAMN F'N SHAME he screwed himself up with that dumb motorcycle accident. I'm sure he thinks the same thing. He'll still have a great career. And when it is over the surgeons will put him back together for the rest of his life. I appreciate his mindset and attitude. By the way, he'll be a hero is he remains a Browns throughout his career.

Braylon? Love the guy. He's been great on my fantasy team too. But damn if that guy still catches balls against his body at strange times. I'm not really complaining though. It's a nice thing that a guy can have such a monster season and still have room for improvement.

Browns will handle the 49ers.

Titans will struggle in Indy and have their chance to win it. There's a decent chance they can't take advantage. No real gut feel there though.
 

 

Damn I suck. It's been months, in the midst of the best Browns season since 1994 (at least), since I have had anything worth posting. But it's true. When everyone is heaping praise, there's not a lot to say. I've always been an offseason blogger anyway. It's almost the offseason.  

What do you do? You listen to dead men sing and run endlessly and dream of lost brothers. You might still say "Araby" is your favorite short story but the truth is that "Araby" was the last short story you read, and it'd probably the next thing you read if you had to consider the short story genre. And meanwhile haven't you noticed? The Browns are _winning_.

At some point we all come to terms with the fact that there are other, more pressing, interesting, rewarding things in life than following the Cleveland Browns. That doesn't make you a less fanatical Browns fan. On the contrary, it makes you perhaps more compulsive; you perfect the art of the disinterested glance at the sports ticker. You develop ninja mind control that allows you to Tivo games and reliably avoid all game knowledge until speedily watching hours later. You absorb losses and return to dinner with the in-laws and work on Monday morning and are seemingly unaffected... at least until about Tuesday afternoon when you realize you're still thinking about the dropped pass, the missed block, the blown opportunity. You are the anonymi. The silent minority. The guy who cares despite not caring for the crap, the prices, the wasted time...

You told anyone who would listen and who you cared to tell that Anderson was the only QB who could scare a defense. You felt good that the 2006 offseason was sweet even though it blew up in our faces. You liked Winslow when he got braces, because he got braces. You didn't expect much. In fact, it was more entertaining wondering when the same newspaper storylines would repeat themselves.

But no f'n way did it seem like 5-3 was in our future. The Cavs and Tribe heading deep into the postseason, sure, but the Browns? I guess you never know. Especially you, cause you don't park it in the muni lot 8 Sundays a year.

I'm sitting looking at the screen of my laptop watching a Canadian Soldier crawl across MuniLot.com. You have to love it.

A few months ago I spouted off about how these Indians were my favorite of all the teams we've had since, well, the early 80's. Still applies. The things that have changed? Carmona has grown into a ace. Guttierez and Cabrera have given a big lift to the team. And finally everyone -- the media, the fans -- is pumped. It's awesome.

 Tonight's "bug game" will be remembered for decades to come. Unbelievable. We will long remember it as a coming of age game for Carmona who 3-hit the best offensive lineup in baseball. But don't forget that the Indians withstood two innings of Mariano Rivera before winning it.

I'm loving every second of it. Even if I'm watching the second half on Tivo after I get my daughter to bed. It's glorious.
 

No, I don't mean we are good exactly. But these are the Browns of my youth -- the Browns who are good enough to break your heart. Good enough to beat any team. Good enough to be a threat.

That's what putting in Derek Anderson was all about. Frye was just not a threat to the defense and Anderson is. Not that complicated. Lots of other things in the NFL are, but not that.  

Edwards and Winslow are big play guys. When was the last time there were two of those on the roster?

THe defense... well. it's a work in progress. But Wimbley, Jones and some of the other dbs can make some impact plays.

And the o-line... getting better and better. Dominant? No. Passable? Definitely. Above average? Probably. Hallelujah.

I think the Browns can play a good game vs. the Pats. I mean, the Pats are unstoppable, but what are the Browns? They don't care. They've got a nice mix of good players and players who nobody thought would be getting a chance. Namely DA. Go Browns.
 

No veteran QB signed, not even as a possible backup.

"Behind" Frye is Anderson, who there's no reason to have much confidence in either.

And after that is the rookie.

So WTF is the plan at QB exactly? Hope? Hope that Frye can do things that he most clearly couldn't do last season? I like Savage, but that is obviously on him. And if I am Romeo on the sidelines, I am pretty upset about that.

Yeah Frye played okay in the preseason. That was obviously meaningless.

Anderson is the only guy to play now. He's not great, but he throws the ball in the face of a blitz, which Frye simply can't do.

And if that doesn't work.... I can't even say it.

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Vickers -- don't be a jackass. When you catch a 1 yard TD pass while your team is down 24 points, you don't dance like you work at Cleveland PM. Idiot.
 

The All-American Football League sounds pretty interesting. I'm intrigued by the idea that it would require players to hold a four-year college degree, and that teams could be "hosted" by universities. For one, this would be a nice incentive for all those borderline-NFL players to stay in school.

It would also enable college football programs, of which many are in essence for-profit enterprises, to field a team of their school's graduates. Think about that -- imagine Columbus Ohio fielding a squad of former Buckeye's. You might even be able to get former NFL players like Eddie George to play a season or two in the league at the end of the their playing careers. It sounds like great fun to me.

Some people will complain that this set-up will negatively influence college football. To the extent it may have influence, it would only validate the system that is already in place where the best college programs are near-professional teams (except the players don't get paid). This is a pretty meaningless protestation, unless one thinks the college game is going to revert back a few decades.

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Don't start Brady Quinn yet. I'm loving what I'm seeing. I think Quinn is easily the most talented QB we've had since Kosar, and is clearly superior in physical talent. Really, I am thrilled and excited. It's just that I think he'll play even better once he's experienced some of the regular season from the sidelines. And I wouldn't start him in 2007 until the rest of the offensive roster has settled in, Chud's offense is well understood, and Quinn's taken in a month of games holding a clipboard.

I also think Frye has shown some growth this preseason. He hasn't looked that great, but he looks increasingly comfortable in the new offense. We already know he's not a guy who can beat an opponent on sheer talent; the scheme has to give him favorable opportunities. And the scheme seems like it may do that. Frye could hold the fort down well enough to get this offense in sync. Let's get though the beginning of the season and see where things stand.

That said, I'm curious whether Anderson or Frye get dealt. I don't think Frye is off the trading block.

 Quinn should sit. Frye/Anderson (Frye) should start. THe other guy should be gone. THere was a good reason for this, don't doubt it yet.

Hey, Quinn has finally signed. I didn't really care or mind the holdout -- it just wasn't crucial to the Browns to get Quinn into camp on time. But, of course, if was important to get him into camp in a reasonable amount of time, and this week was the point at which "reasonable" would become "unreasonable." So it's a good thing this is all done and behind us.

A couple random thoughts...

• The holdout didn't spoil the excitement over Quinn in Cleveland; it tempered it. That is a good thing.
• Anyone who is upset with Quinn over all this is forgetting one very important fact: The whole gambit to get more money as a QB at #22 was ultimately successful. Sure, he didn't get top 5 money, but he still got a premium and a five-year deal. You shouldn't blame the dude for that (though you can blame this stupid system, if you want to delve into all that). Quinn's holdout was one of the least productive of all time. Now that we can see the real money involved, it's basically the same deal he could have gotten a couple weeks ago. Only now he's lost a couple weeks. Oh well...
  
• A 5-year deal... this is the major concession by the Browns. Since he won't start this year (so help me), and Quinn was "next year's 1st round pick," then I could have seen the argument for the Browns to insist he sign a longer deal.
• But a 5 year deal favors the Browns on a guy like Quinn. It lowers the bonus money somewhat, and it means Quinn's contract won't be a factor if he flames out and the team parts ways with him.
• And the Browns still come out ahead on the whole "Quinn is our 2008 1st Rounder" deal in terms of salary -- which is much lower than whatever guy we would have picked in the first round in 2008.
• Also, this whole deal will be a modest improvement as far as the salary cap goes. You can't afford to pay top 10 picks every year.
  
• Somebody has to explain to me why top draft picks aren't in their NFL city while contracts get negotiated. I guess because it is hard to workout properly without being at a training facility? That's the only reason I can think of. I mean, surely Quinn has bought or leased a residence here, right?
• And wouldn't it have been much cooler if, instead of a contract being reported in the press, Quinn himself signaled an agreement by walking out onto the practice field in Berea? Oh well, it's not of much consequence.
• The fans who've been constantly posting to the Watercooler ripping on Quinn and complaining about him... well, I'm happy this can end. Even though it won't.
• The fans who will now commence calling for Quinn to start... well, just remember he, uh, can't start because he's just missed too much time and he's way behind... yeah that's it.
• I'm rooting for Brady. I know it's risky and I wasn't all that high on him for the #3 pick, but for September 2008, man, I am all there. In the meantime let's see WImbley, Winslow, Edwards, Bodden, Pool, Jones, Wright, Davis, Jackson, Smith(s), Thomas, Steinbech establish a truly competitive core.
  
• Grow the hair back.

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I'm encouraged by Charlie Frye's attitude regarding Brady Quinn coming into camp. I heard on the radio Frye say (paraphrase), "When someone is competing behind you, it makes you do things you didn't know you were capable of." That's exactly the right frame of mind to have. It has the added bonus of being entirely true. 

Then again, Frye's attitude never has seemed to be the problem.

ProFootballTalk this morning, 8-6:

With the two of the three remaining first-round holdouts being the only two quarterbacks drafted in round one, a rare semi-original thought occurred to yours truly during a Monday morning spot with Scott Clark and Dave Ragone on 1570 The Zone in Louisville. Could it be that the Raiders and the Browns want these holdouts to linger deep into the preseason and/or into the regular season in order to counter pressure from the fans and the media to play their rookie first-rounders right away? Though it might not have been intentional in either city, the hidden benefit is that these guys will now most likely be able to sit for their entire initial seasons and watch and learn.

I don't know if this is intentional or not in the Browns FO, but I've been advocating this since Quinn was drafted. I don't want him to fall behind, but I definitely want him to watch and learn for the 2007 season. And that means not being prematurely named the starting QB. If it takes a holdout to do that, then so be it. It's better than sticking him in there and never letting him develop.

The model to emulate here is Carson Palmer. He sat behind Kitna, and when he played he played well. In his second year as a started he was a very good QB. Does anyone doubt that he couldn't have started as a rookie? No. Does anyone look back and think, gee, he would have developed faster if he'd started as a rookie? No. It's exactly the opposite -- his year on the bench is often the first reason given for his impressive development. Given the fact that the Browns will not be playoff contenders with Quinn behind center in 2007, there is just no significant benefit to starting him this season.

Holdouts are bad... but unecessarily starting a prized rookie QB is worse.

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I loved this quote from Ted Washington in Peter King's MMQB article: "I'd be doing the same thing if I was commissioner. I think (Roger Goodell's) done a hell of a job. I'd clean up the game too. I'd tell those young guys: 'All right, you want to play the fool? Fine. I'm taking your money.'"

You know, none of what Goodell is doing would have happened under Paul Tagliabue. And if Goodell successfully cleans up the NFL it will have some widespread effects. Namely,

1. The NFL will have proven itself the best sports league in the world, again. Let' see, we have relative labor peace, huge popularity, wildly exciting games, a sensible steroid policy, and finally sane disciplinary policies. We'll see about that last one.
2. A tarnishing of Tagliabue's legacy. The more this goes on the more obviously it was overdue. Why did it take a new commish to address this problem?
3. A trend will start among the rest of the major sports leagues, where it will be much easier to start doing the same thing.

BTW, Peter King is high if the Browns are really the 32nd ranked team in the NFL. I know we're down in the weeds here and we're clearly in the bottom third, but c'mon we're not the absolute worst team are we? Really? Gosh I hope not.

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Romeo: Can we just stop pretending like Braylon Edwards might not be a starter? Everyone knows the offense needs him to play and to play well. And if you don't play Braylon without first giving him a chance, then it will count heavily against you when your job is on the line.

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LeCharles Bentley says his knee is at 70%. Fair enough. He also mentioned that he didn't ever think it'd be more than 90 or so percent. Translation -- it's gonna be very hard for Bentley to be the player he was. No impossible though. It could be that his future lies at the guard position.

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I have to admit -- I am entertained when I hear Tony Rizzo describe the 2007 Browns with, "This is the season of dreams!"

WKNR seems to have woken up and realized that Cleveland sports fans enjoy listening to hosts who are themselves Cleveland sports fans. We don't want unbiased commentary... that's the job of the guests.